San Fernando East MP Brian Manning says that the "homeless" woman sleeping in front of his office which garnered media attention was staged.
"Upon investigation, a lot of what has been said...we have found to be inaccurate and that the event was staged," Manning said. He was speaking during a school supply distribution drive at his constituency office on Saturday.
"We don't want to be callous here in San Fernando East. We understand that it's a difficult time and there are a lot of people who need assistance, but there is a proper due diligence process and that is to ensure the judicious use of resources," he said.
Ashlyn Williams, 57, said her house was destroyed in April and, since then, she bounced around from place to place, including living on Harris Promenade. Manning said Williams was unable to provide proof for many of these claims.
"She was unable to provide a lot of the information that we had requested, and there were quite a few inconsistencies in her story," he said.
Ashlyn Williams was seen sleeping outside MP Brian Manning’s constituency office at Navet Road, San Fernando, on Tuesday night.
Rishi Ragoonath
He said the office was there to assist anyone within the constituency, but they will not allow extreme acts like hers. However, he said they are still willing to provide her with assistance.
"We will continue to try to help this person and others as much as we can," he said.
He said she will be provided with a hamper, but the authorities have been alerted, and she will no longer be able to take residence in front of their office.
Yesterday Manning distributed 200 hampers of school supplies to constituents with the assistance of the businesses within San Fernando East.